The new Austin Maxi. Rebirth of a classic.
If you increase the size of a Maxi by a similar percentage as they increased the size of the Mini it would probably end up something like an Audi Q7.
And have less interior space than the original Maxi!
The new Austin Maxi. Rebirth of a classic.
If you increase the size of a Maxi by a similar percentage as they increased the size of the Mini it would probably end up something like an Audi Q7.
And have less interior space than the original Maxi!
Never owned one, but for a lanky person like me the knee space in the back was great . The 1750 version had a surprising turn of speed and I think a 5 speed gearbox.The Maxi was a great design badly executed IMO. It was years ahead of it's time. Front wheel drive with and end-on gearbox with cable gear change, hatchback design with great use of interior space. It also had independent suspension while Ford were building their cars with cart springs.
As the GLW says, I'd agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong - !with the caveat that my subjective view is right, and other people's* aren't.![]()
I have fond memories of A40's. My dad had one and we drove one when first married. Must have been one of the first hatchbacks. We'll ahead of its time.
And I'm sure it had more storage space than the Suzuki s-cross we have now. But nothing beats our old Peugeot 505 Family Estate with 3 rows of seats. Now sadly in car heaven.
The Maxi was a great design badly executed IMO. It was years ahead of it's time. Front wheel drive with and end-on gearbox with cable gear change, hatchback design with great use of interior space. It also had independent suspension while Ford were building their cars with cart springs.
The gearbox was in the sump. The Maxi Mrs Celine had used the 'improved' rod operated gearbox, with the choice of 5 speeds randomly selected using the porridge spirtle. Three of those gears still had synchromesh. The iron filings generated by the frequent grinding of gears end up in the engine oil, though it was continually being replaced as it burnt a litre of oil every 250 miles.
And let's not forget the Austin 2200, basically a super Maxi and often fondly referred to as 'the shed'; maybe something to do with it's size and internal capacity - ?![]()
I always thought it was because it took as much knotted wood to build than an 8 X 4 shed.And let's not forget the Austin 2200, basically a super Maxi and often fondly referred to as 'the shed'; maybe something to do with it's size and internal capacity - ?![]()